The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-22
CONSERVATIVES IN CONFERENCE.

Salisbury Cannot Resort to Extremes in Ire
land Because of Insufficient Powers.
LONDON. Feb. PA conference of the Con-
servative party was held to-day at the Foreign
Office. The conference was largely attended by
members of both the House of Commons and
the House of Lords The meeting lasted half
an hour. The Marquis Of Salisbury reached the
conference promptly, and was accompanied by
Mr. Goschen. Both were cheered heartily when
they entered. The Premier, in his address to
the conference referred feelingly TO the late
Earl OF Iddesleigh and the loss the government
incurred by reason of his death. The Marquis
also dwelt on the secession from the government
of Lord Randolph Churchill, which the speaker
described as "a considerable loss to the party"
Mr.. Goschens acceptance of Office under the
present government Lord Salisbury said, had
STRENGTHENED the Conservative party. After
marking time for a month";" continued the
Marquis, I'VE have arrived at serious business"
he then said he hoped the government would be
able. by reforming the rules of procedure. to re-
store to the House of Commons its capacity for
work and its reputation for courtesy, after
which we shall be able to deal with the question
of local government in Ireland and with other
measures l hope that the present law will be
sufficient to enable the authorities to cope sue
cessfulv with disorder in Ireland. In any case,
all bills will be postponed until after the conclu
sion of the proceedings for reform of the pro-
cedure rules and action on the estimates. The
government expects to present the budget
during the first week in April. The Marquis
predicted long lease of Office for the Conserva-
tives
Several members urged that the government
introduce In Parliament a cal-government bill
for England. Scotland and Wales, the provis
ions OF which should be extended to Ireland.
Mr. Edwin De Lisle, Conservative member for
Middle Leicestershire spoke, ssaying that as a
Roman Catholic Conservative he denounced the
conduct of Archbishop Croke, of Cashel, Ire
land, IN openly encouraging the conduct of the
Irish National League, and said he would like to
have the Archbishop tried for this conduct by a
jury of English Catholics in London. This
statement provoked great enthusiasm in the
conference.
Lord Salisbury in his official report to the
conference, referring TO Ireland, said they were
| told that they ought to proclaim the National
League. 1t was perfectly open to him to assent
| to the Issue of such a proclamation but unless
| the government had law to enforce it, the
| proclamation would be perfectly ineffective.
| When the Gladstone government proclaimed the
Land League, the habeas corpus act WAS sus-
| pended and the government had power to inn
prison any one disobeying its commands The
| present government had no such power it must
| act within the law of the United Kingdom. and
at present there was no efficient instrument
| with which to deal with yelled rebellion. Their
| first irish business would be to strengthen the
present law. The state of Ireland was certainly
| serious, and it was also novel There a rebellion
was carried out by means of systematized fraud,
| recommended by the highest religious teachers
| of the people. In such state of things they
must be prepared to apply remedies suitable to
| the present times.
| Major Saunderson expressed, on behalf of the
| Loyaiists of Ireland. unbounded confidence in
| the Prime Minister. He urged that as
| the question of the procedure rules was disposed
4 of. the government deal with the frmest hand
| with Irish malcon tents. Other members spoke
] to the same effect.